The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although overtaken by China in 2021 as the largest EU import source for goods, the US remains the EU’s largest trade and investment partner by far. It is estimated that a third of the trade across the Atlantic actually consists of intra-company transfers.

The transatlantic relationship also defines the shape of the global economy as a whole. Either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries in the global economy. Taken together, the economies of both territories amount to more than 40% of world GDP and more than 40% of global trade in goods and services.

In June 2021 both entities agreed to take decisive steps to end the longest running dispute in the history of the World trade organisation: dispute on Large Civil Aircraft (also known as Airbus-Boeing dispute).

See more on the topic of EU-US trade relations by visiting our package for the 8th parliamentary term.

EU - US Trade relations

The European Union has paused its countermeasures on unjustified US trade tariffs to allow time and space for EU-US negotiations.&nbsp;

The decision – which puts on hold for up to 90 days the EU's&nbsp;planned countermeasures&nbsp;against US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports - was made in response to the US delaying by 90 days its so-called reciprocal tariffs.&nbsp; In total, the suspended EU countermeasures cover €21 billion of US exports.&nbsp;

As part of the EU's push to find a negotiated outcome with the US, EU Trade Commissioner&nbsp;Maroš&nbsp;Šefčovič was&nbsp;in Washington DC to hold meetings with his US counterparts in order to explore the ground for a negotiated solution.&nbsp;&nbsp; According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

EU - USA

Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953.

 
The relationship between the EU and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The EU and U.S. are the biggest economic and military powers in the world, dominate global trade, play the leading roles in international political relations.

EU - USA - 8th Parliamentary term

This package contains the events of 2019 and 2020. For latest events, see related links.

Diplomatic relations between the EU and the U.S. date back to 1953. 
The relationship between the EU and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. The EU and U.S. are the biggest economic and military powers in the world, dominate global trade, play the leading roles in international political relations.

EU - USA (2019-2020)

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American politician and the president-elect of the United States.

Candidate for the Democratic Party, he defeated incumbent president Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and will be inaugurated as the 46th president on January 20, 2021.

Joe Biden served as the 47th vice president during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. He represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009.

Joe Biden addressed the European Parliament on 06/05/2010 to stress the need to renew and rebuild the transatlantic relationship as part of a visit to Europe aimed at making progress on relations with Washington.

Joe Biden

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU.

The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition.

MEPs consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary will also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

Unified response to US trade measures

Statements of the members of INTA Delegation to the US

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

MEPs assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. President Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China.

Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs recently said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

The day after Donald Trump’s inauguration on  20 January, MEPs discuss the implications of his second term for transatlantic relations, with representatives from the Polish Council Presidency and the Commission . The debate is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, climate change, and trade. MEPs are also expected to bring up  security issues, in light of Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Europe spend more on defence. Speaking in the Committee on Foreign Affairs recently, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned MEPs that “NATO’s current two percent defence spending target is not nearly enough (...) to stay safe.”

Debate on the geopolitical and economic implications under Trump administration

Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which sees Donald Trump and JD Vance defeating Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the European Parliament debates the future of EU-U.S. relations under the new administration. With Trump set to be inaugurated in January 2025, MEPs assess how this shift affects shared priorities. As the EU seeks stable transatlantic relations, MEPs consider how to engage with the new administration to address challenges and leverage opportunities for both regions.

EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

EP Plenary session - A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU

Visit of US Congressional Delegation - House of Democracy Partnership

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Situation of EU academics in the US

EP Plenary session - US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid

EP Plenary session - US AI chip export restrictions: a challenge to European AI development and economic resilience

EP Plenary session - Preparedness for a new trade era: multilateral cooperation

EP Plenary session - Geopolitical and economic implications for the transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) - United Nations General Assembly - Participation to the Clinton Global Initiatives Spotlight Session

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) - Participation to the event organised by the EP on The Role of Parliaments in Multilateralism at the Global Level

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) - Engagement with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States) - Participation to the Summit of the Future Actions Days co-organised by the EP and Côte d'Ivoire

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Verona (Italy) - G7 Speakers conference - Bilateral Meeting with Mike JOHNSON, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America

EU - US Interparliamentary meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue

EU - US Inteparliamentary Committee meeting

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU. The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition. MEPs consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: MEPs debate (part 2)

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: MEPs debate (part 3)

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss with Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU. The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition. MEPs consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner for Trade

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU. The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition. MEPs will consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary will also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

US trade measures and global trade opportunities for the EU: extracts from the debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress. Scheduled meeting at the request of a US Congressional Delegation involving Representatives of the House Democracy Partnership. The 8 Members delegation led by Codel BUCHANAN will be meeting Members of the European Parliament across the political spectrum including the Vice-President responsible for Human Rights and Democracy Support and several DEG Members. The House Democracy Partnership is the closest counterpart of the EP's Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG). Family photo with Vern BUCHANAN, Norman THATCHER, Andy OGLES, Dina TITUS, Lloyd DOGGETT, Anna Paulina LUNA, Ted LIEU, Neal DUNN, Ihlan OMAR, Seth BLAYLOCK, Derek LUYTEN, Courtney BUTCHER

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress: extracts from the roundtable and family photo

European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the United States meets Representatives of the US Congress. The visit by MEPs takes place against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of sweeping tariffs on global trade partners. The delegation, led by Brando benifei (S&D, Italy), meets with representatives of the US Congress, in part to prepare for the next Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), a forum of leading lawmakers designed to strengthen relations between the European Parliament and Congress.

European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the United States meets Representatives of the US Congress: extracts from the visit and statements by the members of the delegation

Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, reacts to the 20% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump during a press conference in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on International Trade, on New tariffs imposed by Trump administration

MEPs vote on the following topics: JURI Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements; (A10-0029/2025) SMISZEK JURI Request for waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová; (A10-0030/2025) TARCZYNSKI JURI Request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron; (A10-0031/2025) FURORE JURI Request for waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wasik; (A10-0032/2025) FURORE JURI Request for waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kaminski; (A10-0039/2025) ZDECHOVSKÝ CONT Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors - Lucian Roma.canu; (A10-0018/2025) TSIODRAS ENVI; (A10-0019/2025) TSIODRAS ENVI; (A10-0020/2025) TSIODRAS ENVI; (A10-0038/2025) IMART INTA Macro-financial assistance to Jordan; (A10-0037/2025) IMART INTA Macro-financial assistance to Egypt; and (A10-0034/2025) LANGE INTA Customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the USA.

Voting session

MEPs debate on the situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom: Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, makes a closing statement.

Situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom: closing statement by Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

MEPs debate on the situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom: Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, makes an opening statement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom: opening statement by Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

MEPs debate on the situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom.

Situation of European academics and researchers in the US and the impact on academic freedom: MEPs debate

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) holds its regular debate with European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine LAGARDE. MEPs question her on the US shift to protectionism and its impact on the euro area economy, and on the recent decision to lower interest rates, among other issues. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Monetary Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank: opening statements by Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, FR), Chair of ECON Committee, and Christine LAGARDE

Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) reacts to the US 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium entering the country, in place as of today, 12 March. The original US steel and aluminium tariffs date back from 2018 when the US adopted a tariff increase on imports of certain steel and aluminium products (at rates of 25% and 10%, respectively) and with an unlimited duration. In June 2018, the EU adopted rebalancing measures in reaction to the tariffs. In October 2021, the EU and US agreed to start discussions on a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium and suspend steel and aluminium trade disputes.

Statement by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of INTA Committee, on EU countermeasures to US tariffs

This infolcip illustrates different views of Washington D.C. including the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Washington Monument....

Infoclip: General views of Washington D.C. (United States of America)

EP President Roberta Metsola delivered a keynote speech at Johns Hopkins University titled "Europe and the United States in a New World,". The statement is followed by a Questions/Answers session with the students.

Q&A session with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and students at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies

EP President Roberta Metsola gives a keynote address at Johns Hopkins University on "Europe and the United States in a New World," outlining her vision for the future of the transatlantic relationship amidst today’s geopolitically challenging times.

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